Travels through the states of North America, and the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, during the years 1795, 1796, and 1797 [Vol. 1 of 2] — Story, Setting & Ideas

A Traveller's Motives and Methods

The preface is essential for understanding Weld's perspective. He explicitly states he was 'induced to cross the Atlantic' to see for himself, driven by war and uncertainty in Europe. This is not a pleasure tour but a reconnaissance. He traveled 'pretty generally' through several states and later into Canada, aiming to determine how the inhabitants of the British dominions compared to those of the United States, who had 'thrown off the yoke.'

Weld's language is measured. He describes the American states as 'flourishing and happy' but withholds judgment until he can verify. His comparative approach—examining both former colonies and remaining British territories—gives the narrative a dual focus. Readers should note that his observations are filtered through this lens of potential relocation, which explains his emphasis on practical matters like soil fertility, climate, and infrastructure.

Landscape and Livelihood in Virginia

Letter XVI offers a concrete example of Weld's observational style. He describes the country between the South-west Mountains and the Blue Ridge as 'very fertile' and 'more thickly inhabited than the lower parts of Virginia.' He notes the healthy appearance of the people and mentions iron and copper mines, though he tempers expectations: 'till the country becomes more populous it cannot be expected that they will be carried on with much spirit.'

His account of Lynchburgh is typical. He reports the town has about one hundred houses and a tobacco warehouse inspecting two thousand hogsheads annually. He details the river boats—forty-eight to fifty-four feet long, very narrow, navigated by three men using poles to return upstream. He also records a flood from the previous September that left weeds hanging on trees 'considerably above my head though on horseback.' Such precise, grounded details give the narrative its credibility.

Armouries and Human Stature

Weld's visit to New London's armoury reveals his critical eye. He found about fifteen men repairing old arms, but notes the 'slovenly manner' in which arms were kept: five thousand muskets piled in a heap, leather accoutrements 'absolutely rotting for want of common attention.' He generalizes that 'all the armouries throughout the United States are kept much in the same style.' This is a rare moment of explicit criticism, suggesting a gap between American potential and current practice.

He also remarks on the physical appearance of the inhabitants between New London and the Blue Mountains, calling them 'uncommonly robust and tall; it is rare to see a man amongst them who is not six feet high.' Such observations blend the natural and social, a hallmark of his travelogue. Readers should watch for these asides, which often reveal his assumptions about health, industry, and national character.

Prospects for Agriculture and Wine

Weld frequently speculates on future economic development. In the excerpt on the Blue Mountains, he discusses the potential for grape cultivation, noting that the climate is 'as favourable for the purpose as that of any country in Europe.' He suggests that with experiments, settlers might 'learn the best method of converting the juice of the fruit into wine.' This forward-looking tone is typical: Weld is constantly assessing what could be, not just what is.

He also mentions the Hessian fly and the weevil as agricultural pests, showing awareness of challenges. His discussion of Bottetourt County's soil and salubrious climate, along with medicinal springs 'much frequented,' reinforces his practical bent. For a first-time reader, these passages illustrate how Weld blends travelogue with a settler's feasibility study, making the text valuable for understanding late-18th-century perceptions of North America's potential.

Weld's narrative rewards readers who attend to his specific, often quantitative observations. His descriptions of river depths, boat lengths, and town populations ground the text in verifiable detail. At the same time, his comparative framework—contrasting the United States with British Canada—gives the work a political undercurrent. A first-time reader will benefit from noting how Weld's personal motive colors his judgments, and from treating his generalizations as hypotheses rather than settled facts. The excerpts here offer a reliable sample of his method and concerns.

I keep thinking about how Isaac Weld wandered through a young America, jotting down every river and ridge like he was memorizing a face. That quiet ache for somewhere better stayed with me. It’s the same feeling I got flipping through Birdseye Views of Far Lands — Context and Discussion—the world held at arm’s length, each place a possibility we never quite reach.